Principal's News 2026 Term 1 Week 6
By Simon Doyle, Principal
The Bishop Druitt Way: Building Strong Study Habits for Success
We know our teenagers are busy people and half way through each term, about now, it does become more difficult and usually with multiple deadlines for classwork and assessment tasks and after school activities. The College assists in this organisation through having different expectations for Year 7 compared to Year 12, published assessment guides/calendars on the library section of the website, use of our iHUB over the school day and our assessment policy for Years 10 to 12 for our guide on illness and task notifications for example.
The College calendar on Schoolbox is also a part of the planning tool for busy teenagers. Sometimes we hear students prioritise many after school matters, but do not seem to apply this to their study. We encourage each high school student to talk at home about their busy schedules including school and have a calendar that is visible for families to work with as well. Each student should plan their study, assessment and school deadlines like everything else in their busy week. Tutor and Subject Teachers are best placed to guide each child should they have a question about a date or how to prepare for a specific study. Many of our subjects have the details on each course page in Schoolbox as well.
At Bishop Druitt College we set our standards high across all aspects of daily college life. This expectation is known as The Bishop Druitt Way. It is more than a phrase—it represents our shared commitment to nurturing character, building community, and supporting young people to become world-prepared citizens and this includes their dedication to excellence in their academic studies.
For our high school students, living the Bishop Druitt Way means recognising that learning is not simply about results at the end of the term or marks on an exam paper. It is about the daily habits that shape growth. Being present at school, engaging fully in class, asking questions, and putting consistent effort into learning are the foundations of academic success.
One of the most important messages we share with students is that strong learning does not happen the night before an exam. Learning is built gradually. Each lesson, each note taken, each small review session or discussion contributes to deeper understanding over time. When students engage actively in class and reinforce their learning through regular study, they make steady improvements that compound throughout the year.
The classroom remains the most powerful learning environment. Students who attend regularly, listen carefully, contribute to discussions, and seek feedback from their teachers give themselves the best opportunity to succeed. Study at home should not replace classroom learning—it should strengthen and consolidate what has already been explored during the school day.
To support our students in developing strong academic habits, here are five practical study strategies that align with the Bishop Druitt Way.
1. Create a Consistent Study Timetable
Students benefit greatly from structure. Using a weekly planner to map out study sessions ensures that all subjects receive attention throughout the week. This helps families plan their week together and to avoid last minute cramming.
2. Use Active Learning Techniques
Effective study is not about simply reading notes again and again. Active learning techniques such as flashcards, mind maps, summarising information in your own words, and practising with past assessment questions help strengthen understanding and builds long-term memory and confidence.
3. Eliminate Distractions and Optimise Your Space
A focused environment supports productive study. Setting up a quiet, comfortable workspace at home helps students concentrate on their tasks. Keeping phones out of reach and closing unrelated tabs on computers reduces interruptions and allows students to give their full attention to learning.
4. Practice Spaced Repetition
Research consistently shows that reviewing material over several shorter sessions is far more effective than one long study block. Revisiting notes daily or weekly helps reinforce knowledge over time. Small, regular study sessions are one of the most powerful ways to build mastery.
5. Prioritise Wellness and Balance
Finally, strong academic performance is closely linked to wellbeing. Adequate sleep, healthy food, physical activity, and regular breaks help keep the brain functioning at its best. Maintaining balance allows students to remain motivated, focused, and resilient throughout the school year.
Our HSC and Year 11 students have some more flexibility than our junior students like study periods. Study periods are that and if they are completing a BDC Horizons course online, the study period should be used for these courses. Arriving late or leaving early will place the student behind others if they are not using their time wisely.
The Bishop Druitt Way reminds us that excellence is not built overnight. It is developed through commitment, effort, and steady growth. When our students attend school consistently, engage deeply in their classes, and develop thoughtful study habits, they place themselves in the best position to flourish—not only academically, but as confident, capable young people ready for the world beyond our College.
University of Sydney study advice: https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/your-future/top-10-exam-tips
This week we celebrated International Women’s Day and are preparing for Harmony Week and our parent teacher conferences across K-12 commence soon. We hope Year 11 had a wonderful time on their Outdoor Education Program and Year 6 enjoyed their trip to Canberra. We look forward to welcoming them back and hearing about their experiences.
In the coming weeks our service project for Year 6 to 8 includes the RSPCA and students in Ukraine. We will be providing opportunities for students and families to support students in Ukraine through creating small packs for art. These individual packs will go to School 88, Year 3 to 6 classes. This will be items like pencils, textures, water paints. Keep an eye out for more information.
Thank you for Term 1 as we progress towards our Easter service.
God bless,
Simon
As we all gather and stand upon Country, may we acknowledge and respect Gumbaynggirr Land and the thousands of years’ worth of both physical and spiritual connection to Country, culture and teachings embedded forever within these Lands.